Diane Greene

Diane Greene is an American business executive and technology entrepreneur renowned for co-founding the virtualization software pioneer VMware and later serving as the chief executive officer of Google Cloud. Her career spans pivotal roles in Silicon Valley, significantly influencing enterprise software and cloud computing. Greene's leadership is noted for building foundational technology companies and advocating for greater diversity within the technology industry.

Early life and education

Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Greene developed an early interest in engineering and the marine environment. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Vermont. Greene subsequently pursued a Master of Science in naval architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, applying her studies to work on offshore oil platform projects. She later completed a second master's degree in computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, which catalyzed her transition into the software sector.

Career

Greene's early professional experience included engineering roles at Sybase and Tandem Computers. Her entrepreneurial path began in 1998 when she co-founded VMware with her husband, Mendel Rosenblum, and colleagues Scott Devine, Edward Wang, and Edouard Bugnion. As the company's first chief executive officer, she led VMware to dominate the x86 virtualization market, transforming data center operations before its acquisition by EMC Corporation in 2004. After leaving VMware, Greene served on the board of Intuit and became a partner at Kleiner Perkins, focusing on enterprise software investments. In a major career move, she was appointed the CEO of Google Cloud in 2015, overseeing the integration and expansion of the Google Cloud Platform and G Suite businesses before stepping down in 2019.

Board memberships and advisory roles

Greene has held significant governance and advisory positions across technology and academic institutions. She has served on the board of directors for Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google. Her board service extends to prominent firms like Intuit and Stripe, where she provides guidance on software-as-a-service and financial technology. In the academic sphere, Greene is a member of the MIT Corporation, the governing body of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She also contributes to the Stanford University School of Engineering advisory council and has been involved with the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Awards and recognition

Greene's contributions to technology have been widely acknowledged through numerous honors. She was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2012. In 2019, she received the Robert N. Noyce Award from the Semiconductor Industry Association for her leadership impact. Forbes magazine has consistently listed her among the World's 100 Most Powerful Women. Other accolades include being named one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business by Fortune and receiving the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Personal life

Greene is married to Mendel Rosenblum, a Stanford University professor and fellow co-founder of VMware. The couple resides in Palo Alto, California, and are known for their philanthropic activities, particularly in supporting STEM education and oceanographic research. An avid sailor, Greene has competed in and won several major sailing regattas, including the J/24 World Championship. She serves on the board of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, reflecting her lifelong passion for oceanography and marine conservation.

Category:American business executives Category:American technology company founders Category:VMware people Category:Alphabet Inc. people